Note: This post has been updated for accuracy, and to reflect that the name of Amazon’s Prime Wardrobe program has been changed to Prime Try Before You Buy.
I recently tried out Prime Try Before You Buy for the first time, Amazon’s program for clothes shopping. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but it ended up being a great experience!
If you’re anything like me when it comes to shopping, I know that the features of Prime Try Before You Buy will be as appealing to you as they were to me. (In my opinion, it’s like the best parts of online shopping and the best parts of in-store shopping combined!)
So today I’ll be giving you the rundown on what Prime Try Before You Buy is all about. I’ll tell you what it is, how it works, and some of my favorite things about the program (like the fact that it’s free!) And finally, I’ll finish up by sharing a few useful tips for making the most of what may be my new favorite way to shop!
What Is Prime Try Before You Buy?
Prime Try Before You Buy is a program that is changing the way people shop for clothes on Amazon. With Prime Try Before You Buy, you start by selecting up to 6 clothing items you’d like to try on, and once they arrive, you have a 7-day period to decide what you want to keep and what you want to return.
At the end of the 7-day try-on period, you just log back onto Amazon and indicate which items you’ll keep and which you’ll return. You’ll only be charged for the items you keep, and you can send the rest back with the free return label included with your order.
3 Things I Love About Prime Try Before You Buy
1. It’s Free
Unlike some of Amazon’s other programs, Prime Try Before You Buy is free for Amazon Prime members. So if you’re already a Prime member, you this program is free for you to use! (If you’re not a Prime member, you can get a free 30-day trial here!)
And I love that you don’t get charged for anything until you decide what you want to keep. For example, I recently wanted to find a pair of good pair of shorts to wear this summer, but I wasn’t sure what style I should get. I ordered 6 different options through Prime Try Before You Buy so I could see what I liked best.
I decided to keep one pair and send the rest back, and I was only charged for the one pair I kept. It’s so nice to be able to try out several different options without having to pay for each item up front!
2. It’s Easy
Another thing I appreciate about Prime Try Before You Buy is how easy it is to use! Just start at the Prime Try Before You Buy page on Amazon to start browsing for clothes. Once you’ve selected what you want to try out, just place the order and wait for it to arrive (which will take around 4-6 business days.)
Returns are really easy too. When I ordered all those shorts to try on, I just packed the pairs I didn’t want to keep back into the package, slapped on the free return label, and took it to my nearest UPS drop off location.
3. There’s So Many Options
I’m really impressed with how many items are eligible for Prime Try Before You Buy, including items from some of my favorite brands. I’ve found items from Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, and J.Crew, just to name a few.
And I’ve also tried on a few items from the Amazon Essentials line, like t-shirts, blouses, and lounge pants. I’ve been impressed with the quality so far, especially considering the low prices!
Related: 6 Of The Most Comfortable Clothes You Can Buy On Amazon
4 Tips For Making The Most Of Prime Try Before You Buy
1. Don’t Forget Returns!
The 7-day try-on period can be a huge benefit to you, but it can also be a huge benefit to Amazon if you forget to send back the items you don’t want to keep, because they can charge you for everything you ordered after the try-on period is over. So unless you wanted to keep it all, forgetting to return them could end up costing you! (Of course, you would still be able to return most of the clothes for a refund, but it’s much easier to just do it before you get charged.)
So when your Prime Try Before You Buy order arrives, just be sure to take note of the date so you can complete the checkout and return process within the next week.
2. Limit Your Search
It’s a bummer to get excited about a pair of pants only to realize they aren’t eligible for Prime Try Before You Buy. So when you’re browsing for clothes, make sure to limit your search to eligible items. (They’ll be clearly marked as such.) Starting at the Prime Try Before You Buy page is an easy way to make sure you’ll only see eligible items in your search.
3. Plan Ahead
Prime Try Before You Buy isn’t going to do you much good if you need a pair of shoes to wear to a wedding 3 days from now. These orders take 4-6 business days to arrive, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re shopping for clothes for a special occasion.
4. Think Outside The Box
Sure, Prime Try Before You Buy is great for everyday clothes shopping, but there are plenty of other creative ways you can take advantage of this program too. Here are a just of few:
- Find out what size you wear in a particular brand, so that you can take advantage of their online sales in the future.
- Can’t decide on a color? Order one of each and see which one looks best on you.
- Push your style boundaries by testing out new, adventurous looks in the privacy of your own home.
- Try out items from unfamiliar brands to get an idea of their quality and construction.
- Try out multiple outfits for a special occasion instead of taking a chance on just one.
So that’s the scoop! Even if you don’t end up trying out Prime Try Before You Buy, it’s always good to know you have options when it comes to shopping online! :-)
Do you prefer shopping online or shopping in person?
